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In mathematica, how would I use parallel computing (or paralleltable) to compute the integrals of $x^2$, $x$, $3x$ from $x=0$ to $10$ just like in the first answer of https://superuser.com/questions/315337/how-to-make-commands-in-mathematica-8-use-all-cores? After entering the three functions into a table, I'm not sure how to tell Mathematica to integrate the functions. I understand that parallel computing is not the most efficient method, but once I realize how to do this, I can extend it to a much more complicated series of functions.

The motivation of this question is that I have a complicated function (see below) that takes a very, very long time to integrate (after two hours, the function still had not integrated). I'm hoping to break this function up into a group of slightly less complicated functions and utilize parallel computing to compute the integrals.

If I can't do this, is there a way to let mathematica use all four cores on my computer to compute the integral, but not using parallel computing?

Thank you.

(Sin[q - x] ((0.476497 - 0.401956 I) - (0.476497 + 0.598044 I) Tanh[
        0.933024 (q - x)]) + 
   Cos[q - x] ((0.401956 + 0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
        1.06598 (q - x)])) (Sin[
     q + x] ((0.476497 - 0.401956 I) - (0.476497 - 0.598044 I) Tanh[
        0.933024 (q + x)]) + 
   Cos[q + x] ((0.401956 - 0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
        1.06598 (q + x)]))

Note: I plan to integrate x between -10 and 10 where p and q are arbitrary variables so I can then plot the result as a contour map.

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3
  • $\begingroup$ maybe a duplicate with mathematica.stackexchange.com/questions/1620/… $\endgroup$
    – Stefan
    Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 18:24
  • $\begingroup$ Can I do numerical integration when p and q are arbitrary variables? $\endgroup$
    – user85503
    Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 19:49
  • $\begingroup$ Where is p? I only see q. $\endgroup$
    – Rolf Mertig
    Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 21:04

2 Answers 2

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For NIntegrate, you can get a significant speed-up using the method option

Method -> {Automatic, "SymbolicProcessing" -> 0}

If you add this to your calculation, the integrand can be used as written in your question without modification, and it can be dropped right into the Plot as well:

Plot[Re[
      NIntegrate[
       (Sin[q - x] ((0.476497 - 
            0.401956 I) - (0.476497 + 0.598044 I) Tanh[
            0.933024 (q - x)]) + 
       Cos[q - x] ((0.401956 + 
            0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
            1.06598 (q - x)])) (Sin[
         q + x] ((0.476497 - 
            0.401956 I) - (0.476497 - 0.598044 I) Tanh[
            0.933024 (q + x)]) + 
       Cos[q + x] ((0.401956 - 
            0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
            1.06598 (q + x)])),
    {x, -10., 10.},
    Method -> {Automatic, "SymbolicProcessing" -> 0}]
   ],
  {q, -10., 10.},
  PlotPoints -> 10
  ] // AbsoluteTiming

timing of plot

This timing is for the integration and the Plot, and it's less than a second.

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3
  • $\begingroup$ always something i preach...that's why i appreciate you write about it (+1) $\endgroup$
    – Stefan
    Commented Jul 9, 2013 at 22:53
  • $\begingroup$ I didn't know about this "SymbolicProcessing" -> 0 trick ... works brilliantly for complicated examples where we don't want symbolic output. Any downsides that we should be aware of? $\endgroup$
    – wolfies
    Commented Jul 10, 2013 at 5:21
  • $\begingroup$ Regarding downsides, I'd say you'll be safe using this option, and I would only leave it out if NIntegrate throws warnings or errors, because then symbolic processing might help massage the integrand to avoid potential numerical problems. $\endgroup$
    – Jens
    Commented Jul 11, 2013 at 3:57
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I do not think that you can integrate your function analytically. However, if you just want to get a plot, the standard way to do so is:

int[qq_?NumberQ] :=
  NIntegrate[(Sin[
        q - x] ((0.476497 - 
           0.401956 I) - (0.476497 + 0.598044 I) Tanh[
           0.933024 (q - x)]) + 
      Cos[q - x] ((0.401956 + 
           0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
           1.06598 (q - x)])) (Sin[
        q + x] ((0.476497 - 
           0.401956 I) - (0.476497 - 0.598044 I) Tanh[
           0.933024 (q + x)]) + 
      Cos[q + x] ((0.401956 - 
           0.504489 I) + (0.598044 + 0.504489 I) Tanh[
           1.06598 (q + x)])), {x, -10., 10.}];
Plot[Re[int[q]], {q, -10., 10.}, PlotPoints -> 10] // AbsoluteTiming

This needs about 5 seconds.

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